From Monet to Magritte

Today for my 17th birthday, I went see an exhibit at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art featuring Rene Magritte (and several other modern artists). It was so amazing!! It was wonderful to see so many masterpieces that I had only viewed in text books and to be introduced to many new artists throughout the couse of the exhibit.

"The Red Model"

and
"Le Domaine d'Arnheim"

My sister, father and I then walked throught the permanent collection, which included works by Monet, Sargent, Degas, and Cezanne. It nearly took my breath away! The people in the museum must have thought me to be a little strange because I would either be gasping in awe or smiling and clasping my hands with glee. :)

Grooveage!!!!!

Isn't it so much fun to turn the music in the car up loud and goove as you drive to your desired destination? Yes? But isn't is so much more fun when you have the people in the cars next to you starring and laughing at you while you're doing it? Hey, I don't care what they think. At least it gets people to smile! :)

Music Moves to a Crescendo....

I went to a concert on Saturday. And no, I didn't go and see a band. Rather I went to a night of wonderful classical music hosted by California State University at Fullerton and performed by the University Symphony Orchestra. My violin teacher was performing and my father and I went to go and see her play. Besides the University orchestra, they also had a guest star, a world renown clarinet player by the name of Richard Stoltzman, who played a clarinet concerto by Aaron Copland. It was a very strange piece; shifting between dark and moody to very jazzy movements. The full orchestra began the night with the opening theme to Star Wars and closed it with the end theme. I must say that I love Star Wars and I also greatly admire the musical achievements of John Williams, who along with James Newton Howard, I believe to be among the greatest composers of the cinematic genre. Williams' music is larger than life and, for me, invokes a feeling of triumph or heroism. There was one piece in particular though, that both my father and I loved. It was Fingal's Cave Overture (the Hebrides), Op. 26 by Mendelssohn. When I glanced over at my father during the course of the piece I thought he was falling asleep. I soon discovered that he was actually so enraptured by the beauty of the music, he had shut his eyes to better enjoy its elegant strains.

After a short intermission, we listened to an entire symphony by Antonin Dvorak (Symphony 9 in E minor) which is so gorgeous and made me incredibly happy to listen to (especially knowing the main theme from the second movement on my violin). I thoroughly enjoyed the evening, for I have not been to a concert in a long time and have been listening to too much rock and roll and soundtracks recently :) But after such a concert, I wonder why many people, including myself, do not listen to classical music more often. The passions and emotions that are invoked by classical and orchestral music are incredibly strong and powerful, and the beauty of the music itself is so stunning, it is difficult for me to see why people do not appreciate it and the great composers of the classical genre more. Music is such a wonderful way to express praise for God and express the beauty of His creation. *sigh* I hope to be going to more concerts and hearing my violin teacher play in the near future.

Empty Lines

Lady Philosophy

I finished Consolation of Philosophy yesterday. It is an incredibly eloquent book and presents many ideas to ponder and discuss with others. One of the main themes throughout this book is the futility of worldly fame and wealth. Mankind struggles to attain these worldly pleasures, but individuals must recognize that these ideas and goals are hollow and cannot bring fulfillment. However I believe Lady Philosophy tells it best when she declares to Boethius:
"Alas, what wretched ignorance leads
Mankind on paths astray!
Who looks on spreading boughs for gold,
On vines for jewels gay?
What man sets nets on mountain-tops
For feasts of rich sea food?
What huntsman has the wild goat
Upon the sea pursued?
The very ocean's depths men know
Beaneath the waves on high;
They know which strand is rich with pearls,
Which shores with purple dye;
They know the bays for tender fish,
For shellfish where to try.
But in their blindness they do not know
Where lies the good they seek:
That which is higher than the sky
On earth below they seek.
What can I wish you foolish men?
Wealth and fame pursue,
And when great toil wins false reward,
Then may you see the true!"

May Christ allow us to see the truth in Him.

Blood Red

Upon the advice of a friend, I have decided to post some of my poetry. I don't believe it to be exceptionally brilliant but feel free to give me your opinions. : )

The soft feather like a spark aflame within her bright silken hair,
Creates a luminous aura about her head,
The gay spark’s color made with Divine care
Flowing blood red.
Her sweet and gentle laughter alights and flies above in the sky
As she finds the lovely roses in their soft bed,
In the gentle breeze their petals all cry
Flowing blood red.
As a keen nymph in the forest she utters a beautiful song
She listens to the brook and hears all that it’s said,
Its rust moss is breaking out to prolong
Flowing blood red.
Once she’s away from the celestial essence of the forest
The bleak gray town around her appears to be dead,
Her dress is a brushstroke that’s Heaven blessed
Flowing blood red.
The earth beneath her sinks and then bounces up with each new small step
The tough and barren soil of New England she treads,
Rain comes and melts the terra cotta earth
Flowing blood red.
The radiant colors dance in the darkened sky above the town
As the ink like rain in her light clothing embed,
The color is gushing out of her gown
Flowing blood red.
The drops of rain fall from her wet hair like diamonds from the deep earth
But land in the puddles like light pebbles instead,
Giving the clay earth’s small rivers new birth
Flowing blood red.
The rain begins to slowly stop and then the black night sky is clear
She dances on the flame hued leaves the trees have shed,
They continue falling like water clear
Flowing blood red.
The long day has come to an end and she swings open wide the door
Quick is she to don a nightgown and day dress shed,
Leaving a long scarlet trail on the floor
Flowing blood red.
When her mother sings her to sleep she catches a glint of gold
From the ornament on her bosom she’s reread,
‘A’ letter on her bosom burning bold
Flowing blood red.

*sigh*

I spend almost all day reading. By late afternoon, my mind was getting tired and my mind wandered off as I began to procrastinate (not such a great thing). My eye immediately leapt to my bookshelf where I picked up a copy of one of my favorite books. It was Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. May I say that if you have not had the chance to read this book, please do so. Not only does it give you lots to think about but it is beautifully written. In short, it is about a future where it is illegal for citizens to read books and teaches the people to believe that books are unhealthy for the mind. Thus, firefighters no longer work to put fires out, but instead hunt for the books that people hide and systematically burn them. The story circulates around one particular firefighter named Guy Montag. He grapples with all the ideas that the government has indoctrinated him with. Montag finally discovers the beauty of reading and the freedom it affords to human beings. Once the government discovers that he has been secretly reading and hoarding books, he is forced to run for his life into the wood where he meets up with "The Book People," a band of citizens who have escaped the city and have memorized books. I find it very interesting that Bradbury chooses to have Montag memorize Ecclesiastes and Revelations... This book really gives you so much to think about. I mean, I can't even imagine a world without books, can you? It is such a frightening thought.
p.s. I don't necessarily reccomend the 1960's film adaptation of the book. It is done in traditional 60's styles (gotta love the furniture!) However, the play version (also written by Bradbury) is very good. And hopefully the new film version which comes out in February of next year will be good!

So Amazing.....

Two of my good friends, Steeny and Sarah created this smacking awesome comic the other week. May your sides split.

Hello All!

I acquired my blog last week but I've been busy and thus I have not been able to post. It's hard to know where to begin and what to say, so be prepared for my nonsensical ravings, contemplations, quotes and funny or interesting photographs...Hope you enjoy!

Quote of the Blog

"In western lands beneath the Sun the flowers may rise in Spring,
the trees may bud, the waters run, the merry finches sing.
Or there maybe 'tis cloudless night and swaying beeches bear
the Elven-stars as jewels white, amid their branching hair.
Though here at journey's end I lie in darkness buried deep,
beyond all towers strong and high, beyond all moutains steep,
above all shadows rides the Sun, and Stars for ever dwell:
I will not say the Day is done, nor bid the Stars farewell."
--Samwise Gamgee